This Easy Shepherd’s Pie recipe is made with ground beef, brown gravy, and frozen vegetables in less than 30 minutes on the stove top. Broil in the oven for just 5 minutes and dinner is served! Make it with my homemade mashed potato recipe, or use up leftover mashed potatoes!
Be sure to try my Homemade Sloppy Joes recipe next!
Easy Shepherd’s Pie
When it comes to comfort food, Shepherd’s Pie is a classic.
The best part about this recipe is that there is no need to let it simmer extensively on the stove top like most Shepherd’s Pie recipes. Even 30 minutes of simmering can be a bit much during a busy weeknight.
Most recipes also call for up to 2 lbs. of ground beef, which is a bit much if you have a family of four. This one conveniently calls for just 1 lb. of ground beef, frozen vegetables, and some pantry-friendly items to add amazing flavor to the filling!
Shepherd’s Pie vs. Cottage Pie
Shepherd’s Pie originated in 1849 and contained sliced meat as opposed to minced. It’s important to note that the type of meat in the original dish (beef, lamb, etc.) was not specified. It’s signature characteristic was sliced meat topped with mashed potatoes and baked.
The dish has since evolved to include different varieties of minced meat, those varieties depend greatly on the region it’s being prepared in.
Countries outside of the US commonly prepare Shepherds Pie with lamb, while the US often prepares it with ground beef. While Cottage Pie is used to describe this dish as being prepared with ground beef, it’s also common to hear it referred to as Shepherd’s Pie in the US.
Per Wikipedia:
“Shepherd’s pie, cottage pie, or hachis Parmentier is a ground meat pie with a crust or topping of mashed potato of English origin. The recipe has many variations, but the defining ingredients are ground red meat cooked in a gravy or sauce with onions, and topped with a layer of mashed potato before it is baked”
The Broil Method
To keep your filling nice and juicy and the potatoes super creamy, simply broil the potatoes for about 5 minutes prior to serving in order to achieve the classic browned crust we all know and love.
Using Store-Bought or Instant Potatoes
If you’re not up for making homemade mashed potatoes, 3 cups of store bought or instant mashed potatoes may be used for an easy shortcut!
Make-Ahead Method
1-2 Days Ahead: Store in Refrigerator
- Prepare as outlined. Let it cool, then cover and refrigerate until ready to serve.
- When ready to serve, cover and bake in a 350° oven for 40 minutes.
- Remove the cover and broil at 550° for about 5 minutes.
1-2 Months Ahead: Store in Freezer
- Prepare as outlined. Let it cool completely, then cover tightly and freeze.
- When ready to serve, let it thaw overnight, then cover and bake in a 350° oven for 30 minutes. Remove the cover and broil.
- OR, cover and bake the frozen pie at 350° oven for 1 hour. Remove the cover and broil.
Storing Leftovers
- Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 3 days. Reheat in a 350° oven or in the microwave.
- Leftovers also make a great freezer food.
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Easy Shepherd's Pie
Ingredients
- 1 Tablespoon olive oil
- ¾ cup yellow onion, finely diced
- 1 rib celery, finely diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 lb. ground beef, I used 85% lean
- 2 Tablespoons flour
- 1 Tablespoon tomato paste
- ½ teaspoon dried thyme
- ½ cup chicken broth
- 1 cup brown gravy, see notes
- Salt/Pepper
- 1 cup frozen mixed vegetables
- 3 cups mashed potatoes
Instructions
Prepare the Potatoes.
- My homemade mashed potato recipe is perfect for this recipe, you’ll make a half batch to end up with 3 cups. While the potatoes boil, prepare the filling.
Prepare the Filling
- Preheat oil in a large pan over medium-high heat. Add the diced onions and celery. Saute for 3 minutes. Add the garlic and cook for 1 minute.
- Increase heat to high. Add the ground beef. Cook and crumbled until cooked through. Drain all excess grease.
- Reduce heat to medium-high. Sprinkle in the flour and toss to coat. Add the Tomato Paste and thyme. Cook for 1-2 minutes.
- Deglaze the pan with the Chicken broth. Use a silicone spatula to scrape up any brown bits from the pan, this adds flavor to the filling.
- Add HALF of the brown gravy. Stir in the vegetables until heated through.
- Season with salt/pepper and add more gravy if desired. Taste and adjust seasoning as needed. Remove from heat.
Assemble
- Transfer to a lightly greased 9-inch pie pan or 7 x 11 casserole dish. Carefully spread warm mashed potatoes on top.
- Use a fork to “rake” lines into the mashed potatoes.
Broil
- Set the oven rack about 5 inches away from the broiler. Set to a high broil, 550 degrees.
- Broil for about 5 minutes watch it after 2 minutes, it will go from perfectly browned to burned quickly.
- Remove from heat and serve.
Notes
If you prefer to double this recipe, bake in a 9 x 13 casserole dish or use a wide (12-inch), oven safe skillet on the stove and transfer to the oven.
Using Store-Bought or Instant Potatoes If you're not up for making homemade mashed potatoes, 3 cups of store bough or instant mashed potatoes may be used for an easy shortcut!
Nutrition
We eat a LOT of ground “beef” recipes but made with elk. This is my new absolute favorite way to eat ground game meat. I even sent the recipe to friends and family. Thank you for a rich, flavorful, comforting recipe!
You’re so welcome Cori, I’m so happy you enjoyed this with elk, yummm! Thanks so much for the great review!😀
So easy and delicious. MyHsb loved it and he can be picky. I also followed your mashed potatoes recipe and it was so good.
I’m so happy you guys like the Shepherd’s Pie Karen! Thanks so much for taking the time to leave a review!💗
This recipe is delicious. It is very easy to follow. My husband and son both gave this a thumbs up.
Wahooo! Such a victory when the boys approve, nice work Gail! Thanks so much for the great review!❤️
This is amazing!!! The filling is so simple but mouthwatering! Thank you for sharing!!
You’re very welcome Amber, thanks so much for the great review!❤️
So GOOD!! I added a couple splashes Worcestershire to amp it up a notch. Thank you!
Thanks so much for the great comments and review Mary, I’m so happy you liked it!💗
Followed exactly and it was fantastic. Will be a staple in our meals from now on!
Yayyy! That makes me so happy Candice, thanks so much for taking the time to leave a review!💖
Absolutely delicious!! Will definitely make that again!! I’m planning on trying one of your chicken dishes next!! Thank you so much, Stephanie!! P.S. My mom loved it!!!!
You’re so welcome Dana, I’m so happy Mom loved it!🙌 I can’t wait for you to try some chicken dishes, those are some of the dishes I’m most proud of! Thanks so much for taking the time to leave a review!
I made this last nite and YUM! We didn’t have ground beef on hand so substituted ground pork. The brown gravy is delicious. Huge hit, our family of 3 polished off the entire dish. Going to admit that a little
side of ketchup put this dinner right over the top! Thank you Cozy Cook!
Hey Monica! I am so happy to hear that you enjoyed this recipe! That gravy puts it over the top for me every time too. I love that you added a side of ketchup, I am not opposed to that in the slightest! 😉 Thank you so much for taking the time to leave this review, I really appreciate it! -Stephanie
So delicious. I was really honestly nervous to mix tomato and gravy: but it was great
I’m so happy you enjoyed it and overcame your nerves Cyarra! Thanks so much for the great review!❤️
I am making this ahead of time, I won’t have the time tomorrow so making it tonight. What do you suggest would be the best way to reheat and for how long?
Hi Tina, I’ll copy and paste the make ahead method I have in the post… “When ready to serve, cover and bake in a 350° oven for 30 minutes.
Remove the cover and broil at 550° for about 5 minutes” 😀